… not holding the Head,
from which all the body
by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together…
Paul in Colossians 2:19 (KJV)
In the above verse, Paul describes that the ecclesia, as body, is being provided-for and united by the Head, Christ. But the rendering "by joints and bands" needs a comment or two. First, I want to zoom in on the three different words.
The word "joints" or "assimilation" in Greek is derived from haptomai, in which we easily recognize our word, "haptonomy". It literally means "touch" or "contact". In Ephesians 4:6, Paul used this same word in a similar context.
The word "bands" (Gr. sundesmos) literally means: together-bindings. In Eph.4:3 and Col.3:14 it is translated with "tie" (CLV) or "bond" (KJV) and in Acts 8:23 with "fetter" (CLV). The idea each time is that of a network.
The word from which "ministered" (KJV) is translated is (Gr. epichoregeo), and is used another four times in the NT. The Concordant Version renders it always with the verb to supply.
2Corinthians 9:10
Now may He Who is supplying seed to the sower…
Galatians 3:5
…who is supplying you with the spirit…
2Peter 1:5
… employing all diligence, in your faith supply virtue…
2Peter 1:11
For thus will be richly supplied to you the entrance into the eonian kingdom…
Taking the above information into account, Paul says in Col.2:19 the following:
… while he was not holding the Head,
from which the entire body,
by the contact and networking
is supplied and held together …
Does this representation not shed a beautiful and clear light on how the Head cares for the ecclesia? Christ supplies the ecclesia with food ("the word of Christ", Col.3:16). And how does He do that? By means of mutual contact and by networking.
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Translation: Peter Feddema
